Pro-reparations German MP in Namibia

Sevim Dagdelen, a member of the German parliament, chairwoman of the Left Party parliamentary group in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and spokeswoman on international policy, who has long lobbied for the recognition of German colonial crimes and the decolonisation of German foreign policy, is on a visit in Namibia until Friday.In a statement to announce her visit, Dagdelen was quoted as saying she is deeply ashamed of the German government’s attitude towards the Nama and Ovaherero genocides."I am deeply ashamed that the German government still refuses to truly recognise the genocide against the Herero and Nama. As a parliamentarian, I would like to send a message with my trip. Instead of secret negotiations by governments, we need parliamentary initiatives by the Bundestag and the Namibian parliament. Only a genuine recognition of the genocide and the payment of appropriate reparations can pave the way for reconciliation and equal relations. Germany certainly still has a long way to go for this."RenegotiationsAffected communities, represented by the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) and the Ovaherero Tradition Authority (OTA), along with Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi, have threatened to take the legal route should the attorney general not respond to their concerns on the Genocide Joint Declaration.Dagdelen’s visit comes at a time when Namibians are up in arms over Germany’s reparation offer of N$18.4 billion, which has also been rejected by the Namibian government.Dagdelen’s visit to Namibia will kick off with a meeting with Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, Peter Katjavivi.Speaking upAdditional talks are planned with the Namibian-German parliamentary friendship group, along with a visit to the burial sites in Okahandja and Waterberg.She will also hold a guest lecture at the University of Namibia (UNAM) on Wednesday on the continuity of colonialism in current international politics in the light of war, sanctions and international law.The Herero and Namaqua genocide, or the Herero and Nama genocide, was a campaign of ethnic extermination and collective punishment waged by the German Empire against the Herero (Ovaherero) and the Nama in German South West Africa (now Namibia). It was the first genocide of the 20th century, occurring between 1904 and 1908.jemima@namibiansun.com

Pro-reparations German MP in Namibia

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

Please login to leave a comment

Pro-reparations German MP in Namibia

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

Please login to leave a comment

Login